Flynn Wright exec owns horse running in Kentucky Oaks

You might hear a brief minute or two of loud screaming and yelling coming from Flynn Wright’s downtown office on May 2.

But, don’t worry. Your ad campaign redesign request isn’t the cause. The Flynn Wright team will be cheering on Executive Vice President Aaron Kennedy’s filly, Sugar Shock, who will compete at the Kentucky Oaks in front of 100,000 people at Churchill Downs and even more on NBC Sports Network.

The event, which features the top fillies in the world and is the sister event of that Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, is the third largest horse race in the country. Kennedy owns the horse along with Wall Lake-native Warren Bush (father of Scott Bush, president of Templeton Rye), trainer Doug Anderson, and Jim Coulter of Gurnee, Ill. Sugar Shock is the first horse owned by the ownership group, On Cloud Nine LLC.

Aaron’s love for horse racing stems from growing up near Aksarben Racetrack in Omaha. He began handicapping race horses and made the switch seven years ago to owning horses through partnerships with friends and family, specifically his older brother.

Sugar Shock, whose name originates from the nickname Aaron’s mother bestowed on her young son when he ate too much candy, began her career last fall at Churchill Downs and currently ranks second on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 120 points.

If she wins the race, Sugar Shock will take home $600,000 of the $1 million purse and a garland of lilies, affectionately called “The Lilies for the Fillies.” Post time is 4:49 p.m.